Rotary boring bit



March 31, '1936. c. E, REED 2,036,082

ROTARY BORING BIT Filed May 19, 1951 l2?. 9 @rence f /Peed A TTORNE Y.

' apparent from Patented M-ar. 31, 1936 ROTARY BORING Brr Clarence E. Reed, Wichita, Kans., assigner to Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application May 19, 1931, Serial No. 538,471

38 Claims.

This invention relates to earth boring appa' drill stem in order that the cuttings may be carried'away at once and not interfere with the drilling speed. Another object is to cut the entire area at the bottom of the drill hole. Still another object is to effect fast Adrilling while maintainingr a straight hole. Other objects will be the detailed description which follows.

The invention comprises a bit head havingan eccentric projection upon which all of the cutting elements are mounted. 'Ihese elements are dis-.- posed transversely ofthe bit head and in the same vertical central plane. The bit head projection has studs extending .outwardly therefrom with an upward inclination` in the said vertical central plane. The studs are of unequal length but extend beyond the walls of the bithead on opposite sides thereof to a substantially equal extent and at substantially the same angle relative to the axis of ther head. Above the studs the bit head is undercut to permit the mounting of roller cutters on the studs and intermediate the studs the sides of the bit head projections parallel tothe vertical plane of the cutters are reduced along arcuate and forwardly tapered lines to provide spaces "for ushing out the cuttings. Outlets are symmetrically disposed relative to theaxis of the head for discharging flushing fluid into the undercuts above the stud and another outlet is disposed axially of the bit head projection but off center relative to the axis of the bit head. The lastnamed outlet opens into la recess for vertically disposed roller cutters for engaging the bottom of the hole adjacent its center.

In order to illustrate the invention one concrete embodiment' thereof is shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the complete bit with the lower portion shown in vertical section;

Fig. 2 is a similar View on a smaller scale of the bit head or body alone,A the lower portion of which is in section substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the bit head on the same scale as Fig. 2.

The embodiment of the invention chosen for the purpose of illustration comprises a bit head ,4 having the conventional reduced and tapered threaded upper end 5 for attachment to a reamer -bodyv or directly to the drill stem. The opposite or working end of the bit head has an integral 5 projection or. extension 4a. which is eccentrically disposed relative to the bit body as clearly indicated in Fig. 3. The projection 4a. carries the cutters, all of which are disposed in the same vertical plane, as indicated in Fig. 1. The bot- 10 tom endrof eccentric projection 4a is deeply recessed, as indicated at 5, to receive and mount on an axis transverse to the axis of the-bit head, a series of roller cutters 6, i and 8. These cutters are rotatably mounted upon a bearing sleeve 9 15 having an eccentric head or flange 9a' which fits one of the counterbores or seatrecesses 5aat the opposite ends of cutter recess 5. The purpose of the eccentric head or flange 9a is to prevent bearing sleeve 9 from turning. The opposite end 20 of sleeve 9 carries an eccentric washer I0 which fits the opposite seat recess 5a. A retainer pin II extends through the bore of bearing sleeve 9 and the ends thereof are received in aligned bores I2 in the end portions orextensions I4 and I5 25 of eccentric projection 4a which define the limits of recess 5. Cutters 6, I and 8 may be spaced on bearing sleeve 9 as desired, as, for example, by one or more spacing rollers I3;

Upon the exterior of end portions I4 and I5 of 30 eccentric projection 4a are disposed outwardly extending studs I4a and I5a respectively in the plane dened by the axis of the bit head and the' axis oi' cutters 6, 1 and 8. These studs are of unequal length, stud I5a. being longer than stud 35 I4a, but both extend beyond the vertical projection of bit head 4, as clearly indicated in Figs.

\1 and 3. Moreover, the studs are in angular relation to the axis of the bit head, as at substantially the same acute angle. Above each of the studs 40 the bit head is undercut as indicated at 4b and 4c to provide for the mounting of cutters on the studs. In the form shown short stud I4a carries a single roller I6 while the longer stud I5a carries two rollers, namely I1 and I8. Remov- 45 able bearing members are provided for the rollers as thrust washers I9 which are slipped over studs I4a' and I5a toengage end portions I4 and I5 dening recess 5. I'hese washers cover the bores in the end portions receiving the ends of retainer pin II so that withdrawal of the latter is prevented. The remainder of the bearing area for cutters I6, I1 andl Isis-provided by bearing knuts 20 and 2l 4in threaded engagement with -studs Ha and I5a. respectively. These nuts have 55 stop anges 20w and 2Ia respectively opposed to stops provided by thrust washers I9. Any suitable means (not shown) may be provided for locking bearing nuts 20 and 2| in place. To assist in softening the formation, to clear the cutters of disintegrated material and to wash out the cuttings, flushing uid is directed from the central bore of the drill stem and of head 4 by a passage 22 offset yfrom the axis of the head into recess 5 and by inclined side passages 23 and 24 into undercuts 4b and 4c over the stud cutters.

To provide space for flushing out the cuttings from the bottom of the hole the eccentric projection 4a is reduced by arcuate and downwardly converging recesses or cut away portions 25 and 26, as clearly indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. The angular position of studs Ma and I5a relative to the axis of the drill bit and the projection of the same beyond the sides of the latter cause the outer stud cutters I6 and I8 to cut a hole of much cuttings can be washed out freely even when in the form of rather large chips and lumps.

By projecting the portion of the bit on one side of the vertical axis (substantially the line 2-2 of Fig. 1) on the other side, it will be found that the arrangement of cutters illustrated in Fig.

1 is such as to cut the entire area of the drill penetration. f

hole. Cutter 6, which has its inner end substantially on the vertical axis of the bit, will cut the area corresponding to the space left by spacing roller I3. Cutters 1 and 8 eut the space between cutters 6 and Il. Cutter I'I takes care of the space between cutters 8 and I6, and cutter I6 the space between cutters I1 and I8. Although the appearance of the complete bit as viewed in Fig. 1 creates an impression of unbalance, this is nullii'led by the fact that the actual area operated on by the cutters on both sides of the vertical axis of the head is substantially the same, and by the positioning of the cutters in a single vertical central plane. The bit cuts a straight hole and the angular position of the side cutters on the studs together with ample clearance from ushing out'the cutting insures fast While the invention has been herein disclosed in'what is now considered to be a preferred form, it is to-be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details thereof but covers all changes, modications and adaptations within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention. i.

- 1. A bit for rotary drilling including a bit head having an eccentric projection with va recess in its Alower face, meansmounting roller cutters insaid recess on an axis transverse to the axis of the bit head, and means on the exterior of said projection for mounting additional roller cutters comprising studs angularly disposed relative to the axis of the bit head, all cutter axes being in the 'same vertical plane and the` rollers cutting the entire area. of the bottom of the drill hole.

2. 4A bit for rotary drilling including a bit head having an eccentric projection with a recess in its lower face, means mounting roller cutters in said recess on an axis transverse to the axis of the bit head, and`means on the exterior of said .projection for mounting additional roller cuthaving an eccentric projection with a recess in its lower face, 'a bearing sleeve mounted insaid recess, roller cutters on said sleeve, a retainer pin extending through .said sleeve and having its ends received in bores in the end portions of said projection which limit said recess, studs extending from said end portions above said bores, and means o n said studs preventing withdrawal of ,said pin.

` 4. A rotary boring bit including afbit head having an eccentric projection with a recess in its lower face, a bearing sleeve mounted in said recess, rollerl cutters on said sleeve, a retainer pin extending through said sleeve and having its ends received in bores in the end portions of said projection which limit said recess, studs extending from said end portions above said bores, and means including cutters rotatably mounted on lsaid studs preventing withdrawal of saidy pin.

5. A rotary boring bit including a bit head having an eccentric projection with a recess in its lower face, a bearing sleeve mounted in said recess, roller cutters on said sleeve, a retainer pin extending through said sleeve and having its ends received in bores in the end portions of said projection which limit said recess, studs extending from said end portions above said bores, bearing members on said studs providing opposed stops, cutters rotatably mounted on said lastnamed members and maintained in place by said stops, said last-named bearing members extending across the bores in said end portions to prevvent withdrawal of said pin.

6. In a rotary bit, -a bit head, a roller cutter organization comprising an eccentric member mounting roller cutter elements, whose axes are all in the Asame vertical plane, for rotation on l 7. `In a rollerv cutter organization, a bit head,l

a series of cutters supported thereby and so arranged .as to cut the entire area at the bottom of the hole and including spaced cutter elements oppositely inclined in planes converging in the blt head, and intermediate thereof cutters spaced to cut each singly a zone progressively and outwardly from the bit axis, the axes of all said cutter elements being disposed in the same vertical plane, and a combination spindle member having spindle portions for the end cutters of the series, said spindle portions being inclined toward the axis of the bit head.

8. .In a roller bit, a bithead having a side cutter on each side thereof, substantially cylindrical bit head to cut in a plane lower than the side cutters, and another adapted to' cut on the bottom oi entire area of bottom of hole, a bore in the bit head terminating in a plurality of outlets, some outlets terminating directly above and washing the cutter teeth and another outlet being oset. in relation to the bit axes.

9. In a rotary bit, a head, a roller cutter organization' comprising an eccentricmember mount\ ing roller cutter elements adapted to cut the entire area of the bottom of the bore hole, the said eccentric member having cutter elements at each side thereof on spindles integral therewith and oppositely inclined to the axis of the bit head in planes converging in the head, the peripheral cutters tracking each other and the intermediate cutters being non-tracking and spaced to cut progressive zones outwardly from the bit axis, all of the intermediate cutters having axes in the same vertical plane as the axis of one of the peripheral cutters. A A

10. In a roller bit cutter organization, a bitv head, a series of `cutters supported thereby and so arranged as to cut the entire area of the bottom of a bore hole and including spaced cutter elements oppositely inclined in planes converging in the bit head` and intermediate cylindrical cutters spaced to cut each singly a zone progressive ly from the bit axis outwardly, the axes of all said cutter elements being disposed in the same vertical plane and the intermediate cutters being each mounted to rotate on a horizontal axis, and a combination spindle supporting member having spindles disposed at an angle to each other and including a spindle integral with and at right angles from a face on the spindle supporting member.

11. In a roller cutter unit, a bit head, roller cutters adapted to cut the entire area of the bottom of the bore hole and with all axes in the same vertical plane, and'spaced. on each side of the Vertical axis of the bit head, one cutter adjacent the axis on one side, radial thereto and in non-tracking relationship, inclined peripheral cutters in planes converging in the bit head, said cutters tracking each other, and a series of intermediate cutters all having substantially cylindrical cutting sur-faces and open spaces intermediate the peripheral cutters.

12. In a roller bit, a cutter organization comprising spaced cutter elementshaving all axes in the same vertical plane, the peripheral cutters being inclined and arranged to track each other, an intermediate group of roller cutters in non-tracking relationship, and spindle support means comprising a member including thereon the spindles of both peripheral cutters and the intermediate cutters, the organization being adapted to cut the entire area of the bottom of the bore hole.

13. A roller bit comprising side cutters whose axes incline downwardly and inwardly towards the longitudinal axis of the bit, said cutters being adapted tov cut a peripheral area at the bottom of the bore hole, roller cutter means `whose axis is radial to and at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the bit and positioned to cut a central area of the bottom of the bore hole, and roller cutter means having its axis inclined downwardly and inwardly towards the longitudinal axis of the bit, said last-mentioned roller cutter means being positioned to cut an annular area extending completely from the central to the peripheral areas and in non-tracking relationship to any other cutter means,` and having its axis in the same vertical plane as said radial l 14. A roller bit as dened in claim 13 in which the. axes of all cutter means are disposed in the same radial plane.

15. In a roller bit, side cutters inclined in planes converging in the bit, a radial central cutting element having its axis in a horizontal plane, and an intermediate cutter element whose axis is inclined to the bit axis, the cutters cutting-the entire area of the bottom of the bore hole, said central cutting element vhaving its axisin the same vertical plane as the axis of one of the side cutters.

16. In a roller bit having a projection at its lower end,v spindles at the outer sides of said projection mounting roller cutters on axes inclining downwardly and inwardly to the vertical axis o-f said bit, a recess in the lower face of said projec tion, in which recess is mounted a plurality of roller cutters to rotate on axes in a horizontal plane, the last-named roller cutters having spindle support at an inner side of the said projection limiting the recess, said last-named roller cutters cutting the area intermediate-that cut by the inclined cutters and being mounted .on axes in the same diametrical plane as the axis A18. In a roller boring drill, side cutters inclined in planes converging in the drill to rotate lon axes inclining downwardly and inwardly towards, the drill axis, and centrally positioned cutters having axes in a horizontal planegbeing mounted on an eccentric bearing, all cutters being side by side, all centrally positioned cutters having axes in the same vertical plane as the axis of one'of the side cutters.

19. A roller bit comprising a bit head, an'eccentric projection depending a therefrom, .a plurality of roller cutters mounted to rotate on axes all in the same transverse vertical plane and adapted to cut the entire area at thebottorn of the bore hole, said cutters being mounted upon spindles supported by the `eccentridprojection, the eccentric. projection being recessed at its lower end to receive one of said cutter supportingspindles, vthe said projection having a plurality of said spindles extending outwardly and upwardly from its sides.

20. A bit including a bit head having an eccentric projection, spindles at the outer sides of said projection mounting side roller cutters to rotate on axes inclining downwardly and inwardly toward the vertical axis of said head, a recess inthe lower face of said projection, in which recess is mounted a plurality of roller cutter elements 'to rotate on an axis radial to the bit axis and in the same vertical plane as one of the side cutters.

21. A bit for rotary drilling including a bit head having at its lower end an eccentric member mounting a series of cutters arranged for'cutting theentire larea of the bottom of .the bore hole, some of said cutters being in a substanthe cutters in the central position being mounted to rotate ona horizontal axis.

22. In a --rollerl bit, a bit head having side cutters inclined in planes converging in the head. an' intermediately positioned cutter group having cutters disposed on opposite sides of the axis of the bit head, with one axis of thesaid group at-right angles to the axisofthe bit head, the axes of all -cutters of the group being in the same transverse vertical plane, a bore in the bit head terminating in a plurality of outlets to wash the cutters, and spindle support means comprising a member adapted to carry each side cutter and intermediately positioned cutter group, the cutters being adapted to cut the entire area o! the bottom of the hole, and at least one of the'cutters intermediate the side cutters having its axis inclined to the vertical 'axis of the blt.

23. A roller cutter unit having cutters adapted to cut the entire -area of the bottom of the hole and comprising inclined side cutters, the axes of which incline downwardly and inwardly, an intermediate cutter group of cylindrical shaped cutters having all their axes in the same vertical plane as one of the side cutters, the unit having spindle supports between the inclined cutters and said intermediate group.

24. A roller cutter unit according to claim 23, the intermediate cutters being spaced apart and cutting the area between the side cutters in nontracking relationship, one of the cutters having l intermediate and the central cutters being inthe its axis inclined to the bit axis. the last-named cutter being next adjacent one of the side cute" plane intermediateth side cutters, and inclined to each other at an acute angle, the cutters being positioned to cut substantially the entire area at the bottom of thehole. f

26. In earth boring apparatus, a roller bit comprising a bit head, one or more rotatable side cutters each mounted to rotate on an inclined axis and projecting beyond the periphery of the bit head to maintain the gauge of the hole, one or more central cutters mounted to rotate on a horizontal axis to roll over a central area which includes the axis of the bit, and an intermediate roller cutter mounted to rotate on an. inclined axis in the same vertical plane as said horizontal axisand adapted and disposed to roll over a circularpath closely surrounding said central area but spaced from the periphery of the bore hole; said intermediate roller cutter being in non-tracking relationship with respect to any other cutter.

27. In earth boring apparatus, a roller bit comprising a. bit head, one or more rotatable side cutters each mounted to rotate upon an inclined axis and projecting-beyond the periphery of the bit head to maintain the gauge of the hole, one or more central cutters mounted on a horizontal axis to roll over a central area which includes the axis of the bit, and an intermediate roller cutter mounted to rotate on an inclined axis and adapted and disposed to roll over a circular path surrounding said central area but spaced trom the, periphery of the bore hole, the axes for thc same plane,

aosaosa axes oi' the end cutters of the series being inclined to the axis `of the bit head, and each of 28. A roller cutter unit for anl earth boring drill comprising a body portion having a recess in its lower -iace and a roller cutter mounted therein, said body portion having inclined side cutter spindles projecting outwardly and upwardly therefrom and roller. cutters mounted on the.

spindles', the said body portion being positioned to one side of the axis of the 'unit and the inclined spindles being of different lengths.

29. As an 'article of manufacture, a roller cutter at the bottom of the drill hole, the cutters in the side positions having their axes inclined and being arranged to track each other, all cutters in the central position having axes in the same vertical plane as the axis of one of the side position cutters.

31. A bit for rotarydrilling including a headv having an eccentric projection, means on said projection mounting roller cutters for rotation about axes all disposed in the same vertical plane, one of said axes being in a horizontal plane transverse to the axis ofthe bit head, and thc other axes inclined relative to the axis of the blt head, the inclined axes extending above and diverging from said transverse axis, the cutters being adapted to cut the entire area of the bottom of the hole.

32. A roller bit comprising a bit head, an eccentric'projection carried thereby, roller cutter means mounted in a recess in the lower face oi said eccentric projection to rotate on a horizontal axisand positioned to cut a central area, of the bottom of' the bore hole, one or more side cutters carried by the eccentric projection for maintaining the gauge of the hole, and additional roller cutter means mounted to rotate on an axis inclining downwardly and inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of, the bit, said additional roller cutter means ybeing positioned to enlarge the area cut by the mst-mentioned means, and being in nonAtracking relationship to any other cutter means.

33. A roller bit comprising a bit head having at its lower'end a pair of depending walls defining therebetween a downwardly open recess, a spindie positioned in said recess and extending transversely to the bit axis and supported at its ends by said walls, a 'central group of roller cutters moimted on said spindle, other spindles supported by said bit head and extending upwardly and outwardly from said walls, inclined roller cutters rotatably mounted on said other spindles, each cutter in the central group having an axis in the same vertical plane as the axis of an inclined cutter, said walls being positioned at ditferent distances from the bit axis, one wall and one of the central group cutters being equidiscutter shafts being inclined outwardly and upwardly in the same vertical plane, cutters on said outer shafts the periphery of each cutter being tapered to converge at a pcint outside the wall of the hole being drilled, one of said outer cutters being longer than the other.

35. A roller bit comprising a bit head, an eccentric projection depending therefrom, having spindles projecting from its opposite sides' and a downwardly opening recess at its lower end, spindle supported within said recess, roller cutters mounted on said spindles, positioned to cut thc entire area at the bottom of the bore hole, the spindles having their axes in the same transverse verticalplane.

36. A roller bit comprising a bit head, an eccentric projection depending therefrom, having spindles projecting from its opposite sides and a downwardly opening recess at its lower end, a spindle supported Within said recess, roller cutters mounted on said spindles, positioned to cut the entire area at the bottom of the bore hole, one of said cutters being mounted on the spindle supported within said recess and disposed adjacent the axis of the bit, the spindles "having their axes in the same transverse vertical plane.

37. A roller bit comprising a bit head, an eccentric projection depending therefrom, a plurality of spindles supported by said eccentric projection, and having their axes all disposed in the same transverse vertical plane, cutters mounted on said spindles and adapted to cut the entire area at vthe bottom of the hole and including roller cutters mounted on oppositelateral faces of the eccentric projection, one of said spindles being mountedwithin a recess in the lower end of the eccentric projection, the bit head being provided 'with a flushing uid conduit having outlets terminatingabove the eccentric projection on each side thereof and above thev cutters mounted upon the oppositelateralfaoes of said projection.

38. A roller bit comprising a bit head, anteccentric projection depending therefrom, a plurality of spindles supported by said eccentric projection, and having their axes all disposed in the same transverse vertical plane, cutters mounted on said spindles and adapted to cut the entire area at the bottom of the hole and including roller cutters mounted on opposite lateral faces of the eccentric projection disposed about axes inclired downwardly and inwardly, one of the spindles being mounted within a recess in the lower end of the eccentric projection.

CLARENCE E. RIEIED.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

`geen?. NQ. 2,056,082. March :51, 1936.

CLARENCE E. REED.

It 'is hereby certified that error appears ln the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, first olumn, line 67, claim 2.7, after "mounted" insert the words to rotate; and

that the `said Letters Patent should be read Awith this correction therein that" lthe same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of April, A, D 1,936-

I-.eslie Frazer- Seal) Acting Commissioner' of Patents'. 

